Meet your FTO- VP GSBS Solomon Ajala
Solomon Ajala has recently started his role as Vice President Glasgow School for Business and Society (GSBS) for 2023/24 following the Students’ Association elections earlier this year.
We met with Solomon to find out what excites him about his role and learn some more about him!
What prompted you to run in the Student Elections?
Serving people has always been part of me. Giving back to society is something I cherish so much. A lot of people fuelled my interest in wanting to run, knowing what I’ve been able to do in the past for a lot of students, so it was easy for me to jump into it and I just wanted to do more.
How did you feel when you found out you had been elected?
Somehow, I wasn’t so surprised because it was the voice of the people and they wanted to see me succeed, they were all out there doing campaigns for me and mobilising students on my behalf. I also felt joy, knowing that the opportunity has come to actually give back to these students.
What aspect of your role excites you the most?
We are just getting to know more about the role, I don’t think I can pinpoint one aspect that excites me the most but having to meet people, attend meetings, being face to face with the principal and governing board on an almost weekly basis is really exciting. Almost every part of the whole process excites me.
What are your main goals during your time as Vice President?
I want to see that students’ lives are better than they were before we came in. We all had a lot of campaign promises, one of my key campaign promises is to unify students of diverse backgrounds irrespective of their race, religion or background. We are not just representing a particular group of students, we are representing all students so I want to see unity among students.
I also want to see that students get the best out of their academics and that students wellbeing is a key area we look at. Overall, I would like to see students’ lives be better by the end of the year.
What can you bring to the role?
I’ve always dealt with students... It’s a passion I have always had and I want to see that translate into seeing that students are well taken care of, that their voices are heard at any given time and at any opportunity. I want to see that the things I have been able to achieve in the past, I am able to replicate in the bigger picture.
Getting to know you…
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a city called Jos, in the Northern part of Nigeria. I had my University education in the South of Nigeria in Oyo State.
How do you spend your free time?
I am a football lover, I play football and watch football. I read a lot of inspirational books as well, and I spend a lot of time with my family. I don’t really go out, I’m an indoor type so I like to stay in and spend time with my family, watch football and read my books.
What is your favourite movie?
I’ve got a lot, I love Indian movies generally and Korean movies.
Who is your hero?
My uncle, because he showed me the way to go at a very tender stage. He is actually my cousin but I call him my uncle or daddy because he has played a lot of roles in my life from when I was at University, he held me by my hands and pushed me a lot to let me know I can actually do it and I can achieve so much. He is always there by my side so he is somebody I cannot forget.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
To make the world a better place.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself…
I can go to any length for people. A whole lot of students have got to know that about me, that I am able to go that extra length for people as much as I can. That’s one thing about me that stands me out, you can always count on me at any time.